Google Search
The Google app has long had a built-in bookmarking feature to save links, images, and places found through Search. An update is rolling out today on Android that redesigns the interface, and prominently elevates it to the bottom bar.
Google in recent years has worked to better communicate the inner workings of Search. The company this year announced a series of Webmaster Conferences around the world, and one is now coming to Mountain View this November.
Last September, Google Search marked its 20th anniversary and the company laid out plans for the engine’s future. Besides bringing Discover to the web and making Lens available in Images, Google discussed “dynamic organization” for Search results. This feature is now making its way to the desktop web via a subtopics sidebar.
Last week, Google Fi launched a new Unlimited plan that includes both data and international calling. The new MVNO offering is now being promoted on the Google homepage in the U.S.
Last week, we spotted the Google app adding an Android homescreen shortcut to the built-in dictionary tool. The search engine is now tweaking the layout of definition cards by making synonyms more prominent.
The classic show Friends is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year with TV marathons and more celebrating the show’s run. Now, Google is joining in on the fun with half a dozen new easter eggs in search that are sure to be fun for fans of Friends.
Google Search has a number of built-in tools, especially on Android. Defining words is a common task for the engine, and the Android client now has a direct Google Dictionary shortcut.
As seen with podcasts, Google in recent years has been working to make Search be more than just for text results. Video has long been surfaced in the search engine, but Google will now mark YouTube “key moments” for fast scrubbing and watching.
One type of rich Search result that appears as one of Google’s 10 blue links includes “scores and/or stars.” Star ratings provide a convenient, inline experience in Google Search when looking for products and services, with the company making “algorithmic updates” today.
Google’s latest news initiative has Search “elevating original reporting.” This will see articles that broke a story — instead of reblogs — be prominently featured to people searching and stay visible longer.
IFA 2019 is in full swing today with tons of big announcements, and we also got three major leaks for Google’s Pixel 4. In some of today’s smaller stories, Google is making it easier to get a vacation home, Facebook Dating hits the United States, and more.
If you have trouble picking out a show or movie to relax with, Google has a new way to find something. Starting today, Google Search on mobile is offering personalized “what to watch” TV and movie recommendations that are powered by a simple swipe.
Google Images is one of the most popular ways to find a picture on the web, and lately, it’s undergone some changes. One change to Google Images that was just recently spotted was the removal of a search filter that allowed users to find images of exact sizes.
To mark the The Wizard of Oz’s 80th anniversary this Sunday, Google has added a delightful Easter Egg to Search. Similar in format to Avengers: Endgame, this is quite an immersive experience on the web.
At the first Stadia Connect livestream, Google unveiled key details about its game streaming service, including pricing and titles. A day later, the company is advertising Stadia across Google Search.
Google Search has a number of built-in tools that you’d otherwise need to download separate apps for. The “roll dice” utility is getting a significant update that adds multi-sided die, while all the tools are now conveniently listed.
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The Google app has added a useful share shortcut when viewing Discover articles or Search results on Android. Appearing in the top-right corner, it’s elevated from the browser’s otherwise long overflow menu.
Have you searched Google today and felt like you weren’t seeing the newest information? You’re not alone. At some point yesterday, Google’s search indexing seems to have stopped processing new pages from many of the internet’s largest websites.
At I/O 2019, Google confirmed that it’s indexing podcasts to surface audio alongside text and video Search results. Podcast search is now available on Google.com and coming soon to Google Assistant.
Despite the corpus of websites and information that Google Search indexes, “unanswered questions” remain online. Google wants to collect those standing queries and give them to content creators through a new Question Hub tool that’s launching in beta today.
One recent trend in interface design has been to replace icons with text buttons. Aimed at reducing confusion by being explicit about the nature of an action, Google.com is now using such a “Search” button.
Google Images in recent months has seen a number of updates as visual search becomes more and more important. The latest features announced today include a new side panel UI where pictures open and shopping-related product details for results.
To comply with the European Commission’s Android antitrust ruling, Google now prompts EEA users to download alternate browsers and search engines. Google in early 2020 will open up Android’s homescreen search widget to other companies during the setup process.